Using sex to sell your items: Smart, sexist, or sleazy?

by | Apr 15, 2011 | eBay, Etsy and other Marketplace Selling, Marketing and Promotion, Ranting, Whining and Yelling at the Sky | 2 comments

Some weeks ago, a story made the news rounds about a woman who decided to sell all her ex-boyfriend’s clothes on eBay by posing in them in various states of undress.

A recent post on Regretsy highlighted another seller, zendocowboy, whose photos all include the items balanced against either her bottom (wearing a thong, naturally) or her cleavage.

Of course, this is nothing new. There was a seller a few years ago who sold books by having his daughters and wife pose with them while wearing skimpy outfits. I’m sure somewhere out there is a hunky male seller doing the same thing.

But, as a serious seller, how do you feel about this? Is it a good business and marketing idea or is it sleazy?

(If you want to see zendocowboy‘s, um, wares in more detail, there’s a little slideshow after the jump.)

2 Comments

  1. Hillary

    I understand that, as a straight woman, these aren’t supposed to *ahem* peak my interest but the ones with her butt all make me think she’s farting on the items.

    Reply
    • Tula

      ROFL! Yeah, there is a real “ick” factor about buying something that’s been lying around on someone else’s body parts 🙂

      Reply

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